Mal-Simon.

[badinlatin]

Mal is on the bridge. This is not an unusual occurrance.

What may be a variation on the theme is the small notebook in Mal's lap as he sits on the short flight of stairs directly in front of the screen - the seemingly infinitesimal shield of pyrex and glass - between his ship and the black.

He's writing something or other. He also may or may not notice anyone entering.

Comments

[simon_doctor]

Simon puts his head in through the bridge door. "...have you seen Kaylee?"

[badinlatin]

"That I haven't, Doc. I only watch 'er on Tuesdays. Though when you find her, tell her I need the list o' parts she wants me to order next mail drop we make."

More scribbling in his book. Not that Simon can see said book, what with Mal's back still facing Simon and the bridge door.

[simon_doctor]

"All right."

A pause. Simon's looking at the stars.

[badinlatin]

At not hearing Simon's footfalls recede away from the bridge, Mal finally looks behind him, and follows Simon's gaze.

"Yep. Best part about livin' on Serenity."

[simon_doctor]

"Yes, it's quite a view."

Simon's not quite smiling. Used to this life as he's grown, he's still somewhat ambivalent about the black.

[badinlatin]

Mal can hear the ambivalence in the neutral response Simon gives, and gives him a wary sort of look before tucking his pen behind his ear, closing his book, and rotating so that he can sit on the top step of the flight and see Simon at the same time.

"You gonna sit or stand there?" Mal asks, level tone of voice showing a semblance of training it to not sound like a command.

[simon_doctor]

There isn't really anywhere to sit but the pilot's and copilot's chairs. And the steps, but Mal's there.

Simon glances around, and compromises by half-perching on the railing.

He can see the book from this angle, and gives it an inquiring look.

[badinlatin]

"A New Year's present from Samantha Largeman; from Milliways," Mal explains. "For all my...how'd she put it...'cool space adventures'. Or somethin'."

"Been writing out some stuff that's been rattlin' about in the brainpan a bit. Nothing too exciting. I figure I'll write about a job and give it to Samantha one o' these days to keep up the façade that I'm an interestin' character."

[simon_doctor]

"Ah." A small quirk of a smile. "...what is our next job?"

[badinlatin]

"Gotta show up and meet the ruttin' contact 'fore I get to figure that one out. Which I do not like. Means 's somethin' she can't talk about in a wave, or won't."

Neither option sounds like there's a whole lot of good coming out of it on the other end. Except the coin for the job.

A flinch as Mal remembers something, then says, "And we're swingin' 'round a bit off course to get Inara where she needs to be going."

[simon_doctor]

"Oh."

Mild surprise, at that last.

[badinlatin]

A sudden urge to explain further hits Mal. "She's not...she's just takin' some idiot to a dinner. Or something. I didn't want to know too much 'bout the details."

Looking down to the ring on his left hand, Mal spins the gold band around his finger for a moment in distraction.

[simon_doctor]

That's ... an awkward situation, at best.

"I see." It's almost an apology. "Where's this going to be?"

[badinlatin]

"Closer to the Core than I feel like bein' at present. O' course, that could apply to just about anywhere."

Mal can turn decidedly frumpy when he feels like it.

[simon_doctor]

Simon's silent for a long moment.

"How much harder do you think things are going to get? I mean, as a direct result."

He doesn't really have to specify a direct result of what.

[badinlatin]

"I'm buying new seals on my fake papers for the ship."

As straight of an answer as Mal is going to give, most likely.

[simon_doctor]

The fake papers that have his own false identity on them now. His, and River's, and Kaylee's.

"Is that expensive?"

[badinlatin]

"There about the same price anywhere you go in the Rim."

Translation: Expensive, but gotta be done.

[simon_doctor]

"I'm sorry."

[badinlatin]

Now Mal just stares at Simon, almost agitated.

"Sorry for what exactly? Ain't like you did nothin'.

"Don't apologize for goushi you didn't do."

[simon_doctor]

"I didn't mean -- I'm not trying to apologize. It's not something I have any control over, and ... to be honest, I don't think it's something I'd change, if I could. It's important, what he's doing. It's necessary."

Beat.

"I just ... I wish there were a way to do it without endangering the crew."

[badinlatin]

Mal looks away again.

"Endangering us, you mean?"

[simon_doctor]

A slight uncertain frown.

"...Isn't that what I said?"

[badinlatin]

"Think so."

A long pause grows even longer between the captain and the doctor, until Mal shifts to a straighter sitting position, looking to Simon.

"How's Zo' doin'? Comin' along okay?"

[simon_doctor]

Simon nods, with a small smile. "It's progressing normally. They're both doing fine."